This synthesis of research and literature related to the education of the early adolescent involved analysis of 83 documents. These documents were analyzed to answer the following key questions: (1) What are the characteristics of the early adolescent? (2) What are the learning theories most applicable to the early adolescent and what do these suggest for educational planning? (3) What organizational and curriculum patterns are most effective in producing desired learning outcomes while accommodating the characteristics of the early adolescent? and (4) What do the primary cognitive attributes of the early adolescent suggest for the selection of appropriate teaching strategies and instructional methods? The report is organized into four sections: characteristics of early adolescents; cognitive styles of early adolescents; organizational practices and curriculum; and instructional methods. A bibliography of the documents examined is included. (Author/MP)